The Secrets Behind Queen Elizabeth's Longevity 

Mary Akanbi

13th September, 2022 

Queen Elizabeth II is famous for two things: her support to her country and people in World War II, and her impressive lifespan. What is rare knowledge behind the health and service of Britain's longest ruling monarch is her humour, workout routine, diet and optimism.

The secrets behind Queen Elizabeth's longevity that aren't secrets at all

According to British-culture researcher and author of "Long Live the Queen! 23 Rules for Living From Britain's Longest-Reigning Monarch" Bryan Kozlowski, the Queen's secret weapon for difficult moments was her amusing one-upper mindset.

At an annual reception held at Buckingham Palace in the 1980s, then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was in attendance, and was having a difficult time at the event. The event was crowded and hot that after a few exchanges, Margaret started to feel faint and needed to take a seat, just as she had done the previous year.

When the Queen saw her she reportedly said "Oh look! She's keeled over again!" and then continued carrying out her duties.

However, her humour and endurance for hot and crowded events is only one of the explanations for her long life.

Exercise and diet regiment

Queen Elizabeth adopted a thoughtful outlook on working out and dieting. She only partook in fitness by doing activities she loved like horseback riding.

Allegedly influenced by the world war conditions like food rationing, the Queen maintained a modest eating lifestyle and preferred simple meals. According to former royal chef Darren McGrady, her favourites were vegetables, salmon, venison and pheasant.

Lifetime learning

Lifetime learning

'Heavy is the head that wears the crown' but the Queen prioritised learning which kept her mind sharp. She reportedly devoted hours to reading through documents to commit constitutional matters and policies to memory.

Optimism

He mental health was rooted in her adaptability and resilience under what psychologists call "benefit-finding". She had the proficiency to find good in situations. When she was not juggling monarch affairs, she took time off to be by herself in the Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

Aside from her healthy personal habits, her privilege as The Great Britain ruler gave her access to health care and economic status. At time of her birth, life expectancy for women in Britain was 62 years of age. According to a study published in 2017 in Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space, the privilege to access good health care and to have access to economic status is directly linked to longevity.